Case Study: Airbus achieves faster, more accurate A380 hangaring with Hexagon and ARGON

Hexagon global measuring equipment in cooperation with ARGON delivers an optimal man-machine interface for A380 control

The customer, Airbus, faced the challenge of precisely manoeuvring their massive A380 aircraft into a hangar, a process known as "moulage." The previous visual method was time-consuming, cumbersome, and stressful for the pilot, requiring high accuracy within five centimeters. They engaged vendor Hexagon to develop a solution.

Hexagon, in cooperation with partner ARGON, implemented a laser guidance system using a Leica iCON robotic total station and a custom, easy-to-use tablet interface for the tractor pilot. The solution provided real-time guidance, ensuring a perfect alignment. This resulted in a significant time saving of up to an hour per manoeuvre, increased efficiency in poor conditions, and greatly reduced pressure for the operational team.

Airbus

Pascal Montoya

Head of the Tooling Design Office